Editor’s Note: Here are the official updates from City Hall since an Oneonta police officer was accused last week of police brutality in subduing a suspect.
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 9:31 a.m.
Mayor Miller has scheduled an emergency meeting of Common Council for today, Thursday, Feb. 3, at 5 p.m. The council will immediately enter into an executive session to discuss a personnel issue. The meeting will be in the basement conference room, City Hall.
Thursday, Feb. 3, 6:20 p.m.
Allegations have been made that an officer of the Oneonta Police Department may have used what might be termed as excessive force in making an arrest of a city resident on Friday, Jan. 28. The matter is being investigated by city officials following established procedures to ensure that the rights of the individual making the allegations and the police officer are protected.
Because of the nature of the incident, and the processes that it has been reported and investigated, the mayor and the Common Council have decided to appoint a qualified, independent individual to review the matter and report directly to us on his/her findings. We are in the process of seeking this individual and will report on the appointment as soon as it is made.
In accordance with New York State law, no further comment on the details of this incident will be released.
Sunday, Feb. 6, 5:48 p.m.
After consulting with representatives of the Attorney General and individuals in the judicial and law enforcement communities in whom I have confidence, I have, with unanimous concurrence of the Common Council, appointed Joseph F. Loszynski, retired deputy superintendent, Internal Affairs Bureau of the New York State Police, to conduct the review of the Jan. 28 incident, and the Oneonta Police Department, announced on Feb. 3.
The unanimous concurrence of the council came after individual conversations I have had with each member.
Mr. Loszynski’s credentials are impeccable. He has no previous relationship with any of the relevant parties involved in the incident, the Oneonta Police Department, members of the Common Council or myself.
Examples of his work and his resume’ can be found by visiting the Town of Greece (NY) and State of Connecticut web sites. As a retiree, he recently completed an extensive review of the Greece Police Department. While he was in active service, he was assigned by New York State as a courtesy to work with the Attorney General of Connecticut in reviewing their State Police Force.
Mr. Loszynski, who resides in Lake George, will be in Oneonta on Tuesday to finalize the details of his review, begin to assemble documents and have initial meetings with a beginning group of those who will be directly involved with his work.
The length of his assignment cannot be determined at this time. He charges a day rate of $450 plus expenses and I have asked council to approve an initial expenditure of $10,000 for this project at its next meeting. Mr. Loszynski’s review will be broad in nature with the Jan. 28 incident as a starting point.
The review will be conducted in such a way that it does not compromise the Oneonta Police Department’s ongoing investigation, or the rights of the individual making the allegation, or those of the officer against whom they have been made.
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 12:54 p.m.
Mayor Miller has scheduled an emergency meeting of the Common Council for today, Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 5:30 p.m. The council will be discussing the administrative actions necessary to facilitate the review of the Oneonta Police Department by Joseph Loszynski. The meeting will be held in the Common Council Chambers.
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